Double-walled containers and method of making the same

ABSTRACT

A double-walled containers and methods of making the same for decorative purposes is provided. The double-walled container may be formed from two proportional containers nested together. The outer container has a slight larger bottom surface through the angle of the sidewall relative to each container&#39;s bottom surface is substantially similar. An insertion hole is preformed into the bottom surface of the outer container prior to nesting and rigidly connecting the two containers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/261,736, filed 28 Sep. 2021, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to double-walled containers and methods of making the same and, more particularly, a double-wall container and a method of making the same by way of stacking two containers, wherein the outer container has a preformed small bottom hole, through which decorative material may be added, after the two containers are fused together.

In the crafting community, double-wall transparent containers are used to create a “snow globe” look by way of decorative particles (typically these particles are reflective—e.g., glitter), frequently these decorative particles are floating in or with liquid, between the two walls of the container. The container my include, but is not limited to, beverage containers, like tumblers or cold cups. The transparent material of these containers may be glass or various plasticized materials, such as but not limited to acrylic. The snow globe look can be effectuated with translucent material as well.

Currently, to achieve this snow globe look, a hole is carefully drilled in a bottom portion of the container (in a tumbler embodiment, it's the flat floor thereof). And decorative particles are inserted through the hole. At times, however, drilling the hole causes cracks and leaks in the transparent material that forms the inner layer of the container. Moreover, manual drilling of the container's material is labor-intensive, because such material is typically thick and requires excessive force and pressure. And, because these materials also tend to be somewhat brittle, applying pressure often causes cracks, leading to a broken product and a waste of money. Manual drilling of double-wall acrylic tumblers is also a safety concern: in addition to the force and pressure required, safety glasses or goggles are also needed for eye protection.

As can be seen, there is a need for a double-wall container and a method of making the same that eliminates the use of a drill to form the decorative hole along the bottom. The present invention embodies a preformed hole at the bottom of an outer container, while an inner container having no such hole is nested into the outer container, thereby forming a snow globe product, enabling easy and immediate insertion of decorative material through the preformed hole so that the decorative material occupies the space between the outer container and the inner container, whereby the snow globe look is affected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a double-walled container includes the following: an outer container; an inner container nested in the outer container; each container defines a cup-shape having a bottom surface and a sidewall extending from a circumference of the bottom surface at a transverse angle; a rigid connection formed between said bottom surfaces so that a gap space of least an eighth of an inch exists between the respective sidewalls; and an insertion hole formed in the bottom surface of the outer container, wherein the insertion hole fluidly communicates with that of the gap space.

In another aspect of the present he, at double-walled container further includes wherein the inner and outer containers are transparent, wherein the transverse angles are substantially similar between the inner and outer containers, and wherein a diameter of the bottom surface of the inner container is approximately ninety percent that of a diameter of the bottom surface of the outer container, wherein the bottom surface of the outer container has a radial trough through which the insertion hole is disposed, wherein the inner container is made of glass and the outer container is made of a non-glass material, whereby the non-glass material facilitates forming the insertion hole; and further including a lid with a hole, wherein the lid operatively associates with a rime portion of both sidewalls.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of making a snow-globe container includes forming an insertion hole in a bottom surface of an outer surface; and rigidly connecting said bottom surface with a bottom surface of an inner container, wherein said containers each have a sidewall that extends at a transverse angle from a circumference of the bottom surface, and wherein there is a difference of at least ninety percent between respective diameters of said bottom surfaces; filling, at least partially, a gap space between the respective sidewalls with a decorative material; sealing the insertion hole; and further including sealing between rim portions of the respective sidewalls.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a detailed section view of FIG. 2 taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a double-walled containers and methods of making the same for decorative purposes. The double-walled container may be formed from two proportional containers nested together. The outer container has a slight larger bottom surface through the angle of the sidewall relative to each container's bottom surface is substantially similar. An insertion hole is preformed into the bottom surface of the outer container prior to nesting and rigidly connecting the two containers.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4 , the present invention may include a double-walled container 10 with a preformed decoration hole 16 in a bottom portion thereof. The double-walled container 10 may include a lid 12 with straw hole 50 for straw insert. The double-walled container 10 as well as the lid 12 may be made from glass, one or more various plasticized materials, or a combination thereof, that are transparent, semi-transparent, translucent and/or semi-translucent (such as, but not limited to acrylic). The lid 12 is dimensioned and adapted to be placed at the top of the double-walled container 10 and, in some embodiments, screws on the rim of the double-walled container 10, closing its upper opening off.

The double-walled container 10 may be made by way of a first inner container 20 and a second outer container 14 of generally the same dimensions. The first inner container 20 may include, provide or may be a cup-shaped sidewall, while the second outer container 14 may include, provide or may be an inner cup-shaped sidewall. The second outer container 20 provides the insertions hole 16. The first inner container 20 is nested into the second outer container 14 as illustrated in Figures, thereby forming the double-walled container 10 with a layer of air between the first inner container 20 and the second outer container 14. This gap space 22 may be filled with decorative material, fluid and/or solid material, by way of insertion of pressure one such material through the insertion hole 16. This gap space 22 may also provide insulation, reducing condensation and maintains the temperature of hot and cold beverages longer. The diameter of a bottom surface of the inner container 20 is a approximately ninety percent that of a diameter of the bottom surface of the outer container 14, wherein the respective sidewalls of the inner and outer containers substantially share an angle of incidence relative to their respective bottom surface so that the two sidewalls are parallel relative to each other as they extend to their respective upper, rim portion.

The first inner container 20 and the second outer container 14 may be made of different materials, wherein the second material (say, acrylic) of the second outer container 14 is more conducive to preforming the insertion hole 16, while the first inner container 20 may be a first material (say, glass) that is more accommodating to a user drinking out of the double-walled container 10.

The first inner container 20 and the second outer container 14 may be joined together through any methods that provides a rigid connection 26 therebetween, including but not limited to welding, adhesion, or the like. The rigid connection 26 may connect a midportion of the inner container 20 outer bottom surface with the inner portion of the bottom surface 18 of the outer container 14. A rigid connection or sealant may be provided between the rim portions of the inner and outer containers 20 and 14, thereby sealing off the gap space 22.

The insertion hole 16 may be formed through predrilling, additive manufacture, three-dimensional printing, injection molding of the second material, and the like. The insertion hole 16 may be approximately 5/16 inches in diameter, though greater or lesser diameters may work as well. The insertion hole 16 may be formed along a bottom surface 18 of the outer container 14.

The bottom surface 18 may have a radial trough 24 through which the insertion hole 16 is formed. The insertion hole 16 fluidly communicate with the gap space 22 between the inner wall 20 and the outer wall 14.

Once the decorative material/fluid occupies the gap space 22, then a manufacturer may seal the insertion hole 16 with a sealant. By first making the insertions hole 16 in a separated outer container 14 prior to creating the double-walled container 10, a manufacturer will be able to form the insertion hole 16 more easily compared to forming the insertion hole 16 directly into a double-walled container 10. Of course, if there is a flaw resulting from the insertion hole 16 formation, then the manufacturer would not continue with the creation of the double-walled container 10, which is an opportunity afforded by creating the insertion hole 16 prior to creation of the double-walled container 10.

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.

In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A double-walled container, comprising: an outer container; an inner container nested in the outer container; each container defines a cup-shape having a bottom surface and a sidewall extending from a circumference of the bottom surface at a transverse angle; a rigid connection formed between said bottom surfaces so that a gap space of least an eighth of an inch exists between the respective sidewalls; and an insertion hole formed in the bottom surface of the outer container, wherein the insertion hole fluidly communicates with that of the gap space.
 2. The double-walled container of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer containers are transparent.
 3. The double-walled container of claim 2, wherein the transverse angles are substantially similar between the inner and outer containers, and wherein a diameter of the bottom surface of the inner container is approximately ninety percent that of a diameter of the bottom surface of the outer container.
 4. The double-walled container of claim 3, wherein the bottom surface of the outer container has a radial trough through which the insertion hole is disposed.
 5. The double-walled container of claim 4, wherein the inner container is made of glass and the outer container is made of a non-glass material, whereby the non-glass material facilitates forming the insertion hole.
 6. The double-walled container of claim 5, further comprising a lid with a hole, wherein the lid operatively associates with a rime portion of both sidewalls.
 7. A method of making a snow-globe container, the method comprising: forming an insertion hole in a bottom surface of an outer surface; and rigidly connecting said bottom surface with a bottom surface of an inner container, wherein said containers each have a sidewall that extends at a transverse angle from a circumference of the bottom surface, and wherein there is a difference of at least ninety percent between respective diameters of said bottom surfaces.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising filling, at least partially, a gap space between the respective sidewalls with a decorative material.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising sealing the insertion hole.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising sealing between rim portions of the respective sidewalls. 